RUSSELL Westbrook just made NBA history, and he did it in the only way he knows how.

With a flair for the dramatic.

The Thunder guard had already notched his 42nd triple-double of the season - a new NBA record; surpassing Oscar Robertson - when he rose from 30-feet, nailing the deep three-pointer at the buzzer to give his team a 106-105 win over the Denver Nuggets.

The three points saw his point total leap to 50, to go along with 16 points and 10 assists, etching his name into the league's history books; the shot likely to go down as one of the most iconic in recent memory.

"It's amazing," Westbrook said, postgame, close to tears.

"It's something I never dreamt about as a kid.

"My motto is 'why not?', and I always stick by it, regardless of what people say what's possible and not possible.

"I continue to think 'why not?' and continue to strive to be the best I can be."

Westbrook's record-breaking assist came with 4:17 remaining in the game, with the guard dishing it off to Semaj Christon in the right corner for a three-pointer.

Robertson, 'The Big O', set the previous NBA record for most triple-doubles in a single season in 1961-62; a feat that was widely regarded as untouchable.

Just 56 years later, Westbrook is the new king of the triple-double, with Monday's (AEST) effort the 79th of his career, passing Wilt Chamberlain for fourth all time.

Westbrook still has Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138), and Jason Kidd (107) in his sights.

Westbrook has already clinched his triple-double average for the season - currently posting 31.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game - and is also on track to lead the league in scoring.

The one question that remains: is Russell Westbrook the NBA's Most Valuable Player?